Polokwane , South Africa -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A South African court charged Julius Malema with money laundering Wednesday , and the firebrand politician scoffed at the accusations and riled up his supporters moments after his release on bail .

The former youth leader went into an anti-government tirade after his release .

He said the charge against him is politically motivated by President Jacob Zuma .

Speaking into a microphone , Malema , who appeared without his trademark beret and donned a dark suit and burgundy tie for the hearing , addressed his raucous supporters near the court .

He belittled the allegations against him as minor , saying the president told authorities to `` just arrest him for anything . ''

Prosecutors accused him of unlawfully benefiting from proceeds generated by companies he had shares in . The 31-year-old , who was youth leader for the African National Congress , was thrown out of the ruling party this year . He has denied the allegation .

The court did not provide additional details of the charge against him because it is still finalizing the documents , it said .

The ruling party said the allegations are not politically motivated .

`` The charges have been preferred by competent institutions that derive from our Constitution , '' the party said in a statement . `` We want to put it on record that we have confidence in our state institutions to discharge their duties without any political motive . ''

Before the hearing , Malema 's supporters sang songs deriding the president outside the court in Polokwane . After an overnight vigil at a local hall , they waited for him outside the court , peeking behind razor wire amid heavy security that included riot police . Police closed roads leading to the court and deployed a water cannon to the scene .

`` Hands off Malema , '' placards outside the court read . `` Malema will rule one day ! ''

Who is Julius Malema ?

Malema was freed on $ 1,215 bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 30 .

Crimes in South Africa are categorized between schedule one and schedule five , the latter being the most serious . His alleged crime falls under schedule one , according to his lawyers .

Malema , once a major ally of the president , is now one of his fiercest critics . His populist rhetoric has made him a controversial figure in the nation and sparked outrage in the ruling party .

His supporters have said he is being persecuted for challenging Zuma 's leadership before a December vote for head of the powerful ruling party .

Malema 's brash , populist message resonates with some of the nation 's disenfranchised , who took to the streets in protest when he was ousted from the ruling party . The party , accusing him of sowing division and hate speech , first suspended him , then shot down his appeal and expelled him in April .

Zuma and Malema broke ties despite the latter 's role in propelling him to power in 2009 . Malema was instrumental in the president 's election and campaigned across the nation on his behalf .

In recent years , he has accused his administration of intolerance and failure to improve the lives of the poor .

Malema has also called for nationwide strikes in the mining industry , dismaying politicians trying to quell labor discontent among workers .

His calls came after police killed 34 striking mine workers in August during the miners ' labor protests to demand higher pay . The killings -- one of the deadliest attacks since the end of apartheid -- sparked a firestorm in the nation .

Malema 's controversial road to fame includes his calls to seize white-owned farms in South Africa , especially incendiary in a nation with a history of racial tensions .

The self-described `` economic freedom fighter '' has renewed his calls for the nationalization of mines , unnerving potential investors .

Polokwane , which is north of Johannesburg , is the capital of Malema 's native Limpopo province .

CNN 's Nkepile Mabuse contributed from South Africa , and Faith Karimi from Atlanta .

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NEW : The ruling party says the charge is not politically motivated

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The former youth leader is granted bail

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He is scheduled to return to court on November 30

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Malema , who helped bring the president to power in 2009 , enjoys wide support